Persistent weakness in the yen is raising concerns about the potential for a resurgence in cost-push inflation, likely weighing on private consumption.
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThe Japanese yen hit a near-38 year low against the U.S. dollar late Wednesday, raising expectations that authorities could intervene in currency markets again.
Stock Chart Icon Stock chart iconThe last time the yen crossed the 160 level, the currency subsequently strengthened sharply during the trading session, prompting analysts to speculate about an intervention.
Japan's Ministry of Finance later confirmed the intervention in May, saying that it had spent 9.7885 trillion yen ($62.25 billion) on currency intervention between April 26 and May 29, according to a Google-translated statement.
That was the first time that the Japanese government has undertaken such a market measure since October 2022, according to ministry records.
Organizations:
National Printing Bureau, Bloomberg, Getty, U.S ., Japan's Ministry of Finance
Locations:
National Printing Bureau Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan